8.25.2019
ADSL
Asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) is a form of DSL, in which downloads run faster than uploads.
ATA
Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) is the interface standard for integrating drive controllers directly on disk drives.
Activation
The process which shows that the Microsoft copy is legal.
Active Cooling
A type of cooling process in which a fan is mounted directly onto a heatsink for forced-air cooling.
Ad Hoc
A type of wireless network which utilizes client-to-client communications.
Address Bus
A component of a CPU which is used to communicate with RAM by transmitting the physical address of the data.
Adware
A program that advertises products while visiting a Web site.
Attribute
Settings which may be applied to files and folders, such as read-only or hidden.
BIOS
Basic input/output system (BIOS) is a chip which stores communication information for all hardware on a system.
Buffered Memory
A type of memory used on motherboards with a high number of RAM slots.
Building Services
The department in charge of supervising the care and maintenance of a building.
CMOS
Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) is a chip which stores data for BIOS about hardware changes.
CPU
Central processing unit (CPU) is the portion of a computer that does most of the data processing. It is the component that is responsible for the interpretation and execution of instructions.
Chipset
An integrated collection of chips, or controllers, which receive and control the binary and scan codes for incoming data from external devices.
Clean Install
An installation method in which Windows is installed onto a blank hard drive, ensuring that no application or system files from a previous installation will remain.
Clock Multiplier
An instrument that multiplies the beat of the system crystal from MHz to match the GHz, which runs the CPU.
Codec
A software or hardware device which is responsible for the encoding and decoding of digital data.
Conductor
Any material which allows electrons to flow.
Cookies
A text file stored on a computer which stores data from Web sites.
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a protocol used to automatically assign IP addresses from a server containing a pool of available IP addresses.
DMA
Direct memory access (DMA) is a feature which allows for the accessing of memory, without utilizing the CPU.
DNS
Domain Name System (DNS) is a system that translates an IP address into a domain name.
DPI
Dots per inch (DPI) refers to the resolution of any given image expressed by the number of individual pixels that can be stored within each inch of the image.
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is an Internet access type provided by telephone companies to local users.
Decode
A component of the pipeline which breaks down a complex line of code into smaller pieces.
Default Gateway
A routing device which is used to forward all traffic that is not addressed to a station within the local subnet.
Defragmentation
The process that rewrites parts of a file to contiguous sectors on a hard drive, in order to increase access and reduce retrieval time.
Dial-up
The slowest form of Internet access, which uses a public telephone connection, rather than a dedicated circuit or a type of private network.
DirectX
A Microsoft tool that allows graphic-intensive programs to talk directly to the hardware of a computer.
Docking Station
A hardware device that is used to plug in a laptop or other portable computer in order to be used as a desktop computer.
Dot Pitch
The distance between two phosphors of the same color in a CRT monitor.
Duplexing
A feature of RAID 1 in which each drive uses its own controller.
ECC
Error-correction code (ECC) is a type of memory designed to check other RAM chips to ensure that information is stored properly. ECC is often used in high-end systems.
EIDE
Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics (EIDE) is a hardware interface standard for disk drives that houses control circuits within the drives.
EMI
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is a disturbance that degrades or limits electrical circuits due to electromagnetic conduction or radiation from an external source.
ESD
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the transfer of electrical current that flows between two objects at different electrical potentials.
Electricity
Free electrons moving through a conductor.
Execute
The process responsible for adding, subtracting, and moving memory.
Expansion Bus
The area of the external data bus which connects the bridge, or memory controller chip, to all other individual components.
ExpressCard
A hardware interface which allows peripheral devices to be connected to a laptop, which supports PCI Express and USB 2.0.
FM Synthesis
A sound card that has stored waveforms for musical instruments that are used to create complex audio waveforms.
Form Factor
A set of standards used to ensure that motherboards and cases will be compatible.
Frontside Bus
The main data path that runs between the CPU and the RAM.
Garbage Printout
A series of printed pages containing only a few lines of random text per page, caused by a computer or printer error.
Hard Drive
A device which is the primary storage unit for a computer. It is responsible for keeping the operating system, applications, files, and data.
Horizontal Refresh Rate
The amount of time it takes for a CRT monitor to create one complete raster line.
Hyperthreading
An Intel® technology which allows for multiple threads to be run on a single pipeline.
IANA
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) is the organization responsible for passing out IP addresses to ISPs.
IDE
Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) is the standard interface and protocol for hard drives.
Insulator
Any material which impedes the flow of electrons.
Intel® Centrino®
An entire package which includes the CPU and support chips.
Interlacing
The act of first sweeping odd numbered rasters, then even numbered rasters in order to create a full screen.
Inverter
A device which converts DC power into AC power.
Land Grid Array
A method of attaching a socket to a CPU, where small pads, or lands, are attached to a CPU which lay against connecters on a socket.
MBR
MBR (Master Boot Record) is the first logical sector on a disk and is usually responsible for reading partition tables.
MDSD
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a reference containing information about the identity of hazardous chemicals, health and physical hazards, exposure limits, and precautions.
MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) is a standard interface for computers to store music in sheet music formats and recorded instruments.
MIMO
Multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) is a type of antenna diversity which uses multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver to improve communication performance.
Malware
Software designed to cause harm to a computer system.
Mirroring
A concept of RAID 1 in which two drives are used to create file or disk redundancy.
Motherboard
The main circuit board that carries the system buses.
Multiple Cores Concept
A single silicon chip that contains two CPUs.
NAT
Network Address Translation (NAT) is a way for multiple computers to share one IP address.
Nibble
A four-bit aggregation.
Northbridge
A bridge chip in a two-bridge set which connects directly to the frontside bus.
PC Card
A hardware interface for laptop computers which provides removeable memory or I/O functionality.
POST
Power-on self test (POST) is a BIOS system which a computer uses to test itself each time it boots.
Parity
A collection of data across an array to achieve redundancy in RAID so lost data may be reconstructed.
Parity Memory
An outdated type of memory which contained an extra chip used to keep track of information in other RAM chips.
Passive Cooling
A type of cooling process which does not use a fan or other type of forced-air cooling.
Phishing
Any type of situation where an individual or application is posing as something it is not, for the purpose of gaining personal information from a user.
Phishing Filter
A tool which protects personal information while viewing Web sites.
Pin Grid Array
A method of attaching a socket to a CPU where there is an arrangement of pins integrated onto the CPU which fit into small holes in the socket.
Pixel
A term used to describe a unit of color. For CRT monitors, a pixel contains a collection of triads in a rectangular shape; for LCD monitors, a pixel is a fixed rectangle containing red, green, and blue glass.
Plenum
The space between a dropped ceiling and the actual ceiling, or the space between a raised floor and the actual floor.
Pop-up Blocker
A feature or application which disables any pop-up windows while viewing a Web site.
Port
An interface on a computer in which a user can connect a device.
Pre-fetch
A component of the pipeline interfaces with the memory controller chip to get lines of code into the CPU.
Proxy Server
A computer that all connections of an application run through.
RAID
Redundant array of independent disks (RAID) is a computer system using multiple hard drives in order to share or replicate data which may increase data integrity, fault-tolerance, or throughput.
RAM
Random access memory (RAM) is the most common type of computer memory, used by programs to perform necessary tasks.
RFI
Radio frequency interference (RFI) is multiple radios transmitting on similar bands which interfere with each other.
Raster Line
The scanning pattern of parallel lines that form the display of an image projected on a CRT computer monitor.
Registration
The process for signing up for updates and e-mails.
SDSL
Symmetrical digital subscriber line (SDSL) is a form of DSL, in which upload and download speeds are the same.
SSID
Service Set Identifier (SSID) is a signal which is broadcasted by an access point in a wireless network in order for client computers to access that network.
Services
Computer applications or programs which run in the background of an operating system to maintain proper computer functionality.
Spam
Unsolicited e-mail sent to many users at once; it is the electronic equivalent of junk mail.
Spyware
Any type of program that reports information about personal habits to a central authority.
Subnet Mask
A number assigned to machines within a network which have a common IP address routing prefix.
System Crystal
A quartz oscillator which acts as the metronome for the system.
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is a set of protocols developed to allow cooperating computers to share resources across a network.
Telnet
A program which allows for remote access to another system's terminal.
Thermal Compound
A substance which has powerful heat conductive qualities, used to aid in the cooling of a CPU. Thermal compound is also known as heat dope.
Toner
A dry, powdery ink substance used in laser printers which is given a negative charge before being transferred onto paper.
Triad
A group of red, green, and blue phosphors in a CRT monitor.
Trojan Horse
A program that is downloaded and looks harmless but contains something harmful to a computer system. Unlike a traditional virus, it cannot replicate itself.
USB
Universal serial bus (USB) is a hardware interface used to connect computers to peripheral devices including, but not limited to, keyboards, scanners, printers, external storage, and digital cameras.
Upgrade
An installation method in which a product is replaced with a newer version of the same product.
Vertical Refresh Rate
The amount of time it takes for a CRT monitor to display one full screen.
VoIP
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a system which carries analog voice data over IP packets.
Volt
The standard unit used to measure electrical pressure or force.
References
https://quizlet.com/4621113/a-vocabulary-flash-cards/
